The highly anticipated Nürburgring 24 Hours ended in cruel fashion for the Mercedes #3 crew, as what had looked like a potential victory turned into heartbreaking disappointment.
The quartet of Max Verstappen, Jules Gounon, Daniel Juncadella, and Lucas Auer delivered an impressive performance throughout the German endurance classic. In particular, the four-time Formula 1 world champion lived up to the huge expectations surrounding his participation, producing several spectacular stints and thrilling the crowd with breathtaking overtakes.
However, despite controlling much of the race, a technical failure—specifically a driveshaft issue—around three hours before the chequered flag forced the team into a lengthy pit stop. That setback dropped the #3 Mercedes from the race lead all the way down to 37th place at the finish, ending 21 laps behind the winning sister car, the #80.
No risks at the start
As expected, much of the attention was focused on Max Verstappen, who delivered some remarkable stints and provided the German fans with plenty of entertainment. But in a somewhat surprising move, it was not the Dutch star who took the opening stint of the race.
Instead, that responsibility went to Spanish driver Daniel Juncadella, a true endurance racing veteran whose résumé includes victory at the 24 Hours of Spa.
Speaking to the Spanish outlet SoyMotor, Juncadella revealed an amusing behind-the-scenes story, explaining that it was actually Max Verstappen himself who asked not to start the race. The reason? The Red Bull driver was concerned he might take too many risks in the chaotic opening phase.
“On Friday evening, after qualifying, Max came to me and said: ‘It’s better if you start, because I know myself and this is a 24-hour race. It’s the first lap, we’re fourth, and I’ll want to start battling everyone immediately. Better if you start.’
“For me, it was fantastic to feel that level of trust from him, and the fact that he wanted me to handle the start.”
That does not mean Max Verstappen avoided taking risks entirely once he got behind the wheel. Far from it—his aggressive and committed driving was one of the highlights of the race. But in the end, it was not his attacking style that destroyed Mercedes #3’s hopes of victory, but mechanical failure.
Max Verstappen’s decision to sit out the chaotic opening lap at the Green Hell reveals the calculated maturity hidden beneath his famously aggressive racing style. Recognizing the unique disciplines of endurance racing, the F1 champion willingly checked his ego to prioritize the long-game strategy with a seasoned sports car veteran like Dani Juncadella. While a cruel mechanical failure eventually denied the star-studded #3 Mercedes crew a fairytale result, this fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse proves that Verstappen approached the legendary endurance classic with the utmost respect and a clinical, team-first mindset.
Leave a Reply